Machine for seaming tubular members



July 25, 1950 B. D. JACOKES MACHINE FOR SEAMING TUBULAR MEMBERS S SheetS-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 INVENTOR zezyz anfl J 464/?65.

ATTORNEYS.

July 25, 1950 B. D. JACOKES 2,516,322

MACHINE FOR SEAMING TUBULAR MEMBERS Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

y 25, 1950 B. D. JACOKES 2,516,322

MACHINE FOR SEAMING TUBULAR MEMBERS Original Filed Aug. 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNE Y5.

Patented July 25, 1950 OFFICE MACHINE FOR SEAMIN G TUBULAR MEMBERS Benton D. Jacokes, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Walker Manufacturing Company of Wisconsin, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application August 8, 1941, Serial No. 406,032. Divided and this application October 26, 1944, Serial No. 560,504

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a machine for forming rolled seams on tubular members,

This application is a division of applicants copending application Serial No. 406,032, filed August 8, 1941, assigned to the assignee of the present application and now abandoned.

It is the present practice in connecting socalled headers, or end closure plates, to the bodies of internal combustion engine exhaust mufllers, to form an interlocking seam by a rolling operation at the joining edges of the muffler and its header.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved form of machine adaptable to perform a rolling operation, such as a seam rolling operation, upon tubular sheet metal members which are non-circular in cross section; more particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a machine embodying an improved aligned relationship between a forming roller and the elements which control its feed movements, and to provide such a machine characterized as embodying a forming roller and feeding means therefor including a hydraulic motor and associated means for providing it with a metered flow of actuating hydraulic fluid.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a machine constructed to form a rolled seam on tubular sheet metal-members which are non-circular in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic circuit used to operate and control the hydraulic cylinder of the machine;

Fig. 4.- is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 1, but on a larger scale, of a portion of the mechanism, parts being broken away, and the cover member for the roller supporting slide being removed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 55 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of a portion of the machine which carries one of the operation;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating the final stages of the seam rolling operation;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 7, showing the initial shape of the parts to be joined by a modified or partly flush seam; and

Fig. 10 shows the finished seam produced from the parts illustrated in Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the rolling machine, which in many respects is conventional in form, is constructed upon a bed l0 having a pair of longitudinal V-shaped slideways II and I2 running substantially the full length of the bed. The construction and arrangement of the bed and of the machine as a whole are substantially that of an ordinary lathe with the exceptions hereinafter indicated, being provided with a head stock l3 and a tail stock M, the former fixed to the bed and the latter slidable upon the slideways II and 12 in any suitable or conventional manner. The head stock l3 journals a shaft I5 which supports at one end a chuck [6, while a chuck ll of similar form is supported by a shaft l8 journaled for both rotary and axial sliding movement in the tail stock l4. The machine is provided with an electric motor 20 which drives, by means of a chain 2i and suitable sprockets, a main shaft 22 which is journaled inthe bed of the machine and extends the full length of the bed. A gear 23 on the shaft 22 meshes with a gear 24 on the shaft [5 to drive the latter and, therefore, the chuck it. A gear 26 likewise fixed to the shaft 22 meshes with a gear, not shown, but which is located within the tail stock I l and splined to the shaft l8, so as to transmit rotary motion to the shaft 18 without preventing axial motion of the shaft [8, A cylinder 2'! fixed to the bed of the machine is provided with a piston rod 28 which is operatively connected to the right-hand end of the shaft l8 to effect axial movements of the latter. The connection between the piston rod 28 and the shaft I8 may be of any'suitable form, but is preferably designed to permit free relative rotation be- 3 tween the two without permitting relative axial movement. Any suitable means may be provided to supply fluid or air pressure for operating the piston rod 28.

The structure of the machine so far described is more or less conventional and is, therefore, not shown in detail.

In operation, a workpiece comprising a tubular sheet metal element 30 is held in alignment with the chucks l6 and ll and fluid is admitted to the cylinder to shift the chuck ll into work holding position. Thereupon, the motor ill is started, which efiects rotation of the shaft 22 and consequent rotation of the chucks I6 and ll and workpiece 30.

The present machine is particularly designed to roll a seam on a tubular element 30, which is non-circular in cross section. The particular workpiece illustrated is an oval muifier body 30, to which is to be connected by 2. rolled seam a sheet metal header 3 l This seam may be either of the improved type hereinafter described or any other type of seam, depending upon the construction and form of the roller and the chuck used to supportthe work. So far as the machine is concerned, the novel features thereof reside in the construction and arrangement of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the roller, which mechanism is best shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings.

In the particular machine illustrated, seams are formed simultaneously at opposite ends of the rnufller and, therefore, two roll supporting and operating mechanisms are provided. One of these mechanisms is mounted upon a slide 34 movable longitudinally on the bed of the machine, while the other is mounted upon a similar slide 35. Since the construction and arrangement of the slides 34 and 35 and the mechanism mounted on them are substantially identical, only one need be described. Accordingly, a description will be given of the mechanism on the slide 34, it being understood that the mechanism on slide 35 is similar.

As shown best in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the slide 34 is substantially channel shaped in form, being provided with upstanding side walls 36 and 37 extending transversely of the bed of the machine. Fixedly secured to and bridging across the top of the side walls 36 and 31 is a generally arch shaped cover member 38. The cover member 38, as best shown in Figures and 6, is provided with four stiffening flanges 3t, 43, 4| and 42, and the space between the flanges 40. and 4 l, as well as the space between the flanges 41 and 42, is cut away to form openings 43 and 44, respectively.

The side Walls 33 and 31 of the slide 34 are provided with inwardly projecting pads Miami. 41, whose upper edges terminate below the upper edges of the side walls 36 and 3'5. A secondary slide 50, which is generally U-shaped in form, as best seen in Figure 6, is positioned between the side walls 36 and 31. The upper ends of the legs of the U-shaped secondary slide 50 are provided with horizontally projecting flanges 5|, which rest upon wear strips 52 supported upon the top surfaces of the pads 46 and 4'1. The wear strips 52 slideably support the secondary slide 50 for movement transversely of the bed of the machine with respect to the main slide 34.

At the rear the secondary slide 50 is provided with an end closure wall 54, provided with a pair of rearwardly extending bosses, 55 in which is journaled a cam roller 56 adapted to be engaged by cam 51 mounted on a shaft 58 which is journaled between a pair of bosses 59 and 60 carried, respectively, by rearward extensions of the side walls 36 and 31 of the main slide 34.

The cam 51 is driven in synchronism with the chuck it by a train of gearing which includes a gear 6i on shaft 58, a gear 62 on a counter-shaft 33, a gear 64 on the counter-shaft 63 and the gear 24 on the shaft l5. In the particular embodiment shown, a seam is to be rolled on a muffler body 30 which is oval in cross section, as best shown in Figure 5, and the cam 5'! is so shaped as to oscillate the slide 50 in accordance with the variations in radius of the mufller body 33 at the point of engagement of the roller.

Means are provided for holding the cam roller 55 on slide 50 in engagement with the cam 51, which means comprises a stud 66 threaded into a downwardly projecting boss 61 on the slide 50 and projecting rearwardly through an opening 88 in a portion of the main slide 34. A helical spring til surrounds thestud 66 and bears at one end upon the main slide 34 and at the opposite end upon a pair of adjustable lock nuts 10 threaded on the stud.

The metal working roller 12 is journaled on and between the side walls of a U-shaped roller supporting slide 13. The upper ends of the sides of the U-shaped roller supporting slides l3 are provided with lateral projections 14 adapted to overlie the top of the sides of the slide 50, as best shown in Figure 6. Suitable wear strips 16 are provided between the side walls 36 and 3? of the slide 34 and the projecting flanges 14 of the slide 13 to keep the slide 13 in proper alignment as it reciprocates transversely of the bed of the machine with respect to the slides 34 and 50. The slide i3 is provided with a transverse wall 11 rear- Wardly of the roller 12, and a piston rod 18, which is connected to a piston in a cylinder 19, is fixed to the transverse wall 11 by means of a cap screw 83. The cylinder 19 is positioned between the sides of the slide '50, and its rear end is secured by means of cap screws 82 to the rear wall 54 of the slide 5|].

As a result of this arrangement, upon movement of the piston and piston rod relative to the cylinder 19 the roller supporting slide 13 will move relative to the secondary slide 50. A pair of fluid conducting pipes 84 and 85 are connected, respectively, to opposite ends of the cylinder 19, and, as best shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, are connected in a suitable hydraulic circuit, hereinafter described, for operating the cylinder and piston.

Means are provided for limiting the movement of the slide 13 relative to the slide 50 and toward the work. This means comprises a stud 81 which passes freely through a suitable opening in the end wall 54 of slide 50 and is threaded at 88 into the slide 13, as best shown in Figure 5. A pair of lock nuts 89 limits movement of slide 13 toward the work and relative to the slide 50. The adjustment of the nuts 89 is such that upon completion of the seam rolling operation, the stud 81 will relieve the work of the pressure exerted by as illustrated diagrammatically in-Figure 3,. the

system may include a fluid reservoir-99 connected to a pump 9| by means of a pipe 92, and thedischarge line 93 of the pump is connected through a suitable four-way reversing valve 94 alternatively either to the cylinder line 84 or to a line 95 which is connected to the clyinder line 85 through a one-way metering valve 96. A return line 91 from the four-way valve to the reservoir 99 is also provided. Any suitable means such as the operating lever 98 may be provided to shift the spool of the four-way valve 94. i

In a circuit of this type, when the control element of valve 94 is in one position, fluid under pressure from the line 93 passes through the four-way valve 94 to the line 95 and thence through the metering valve 96 and the line 85 to the rear end of cylinder I9 to effect the working stroke of the roller I2. The metering valve 96 is of a type which, under this condition of flow, will permit a metered uniform quantity of fluid to pass through the valve and into the rear end of the cylinder I9, thus effecting a uniform rate of feed of the roller I2 independent of the resistance which that roller encounters, the pressure developed by the pump '9! being more than sufficient to overcome any possible resistance the roller will encounter during the seam rolling op-- eration. During the working stroke, the fluid from the front end of cylinder I9 returns freely through line 94, the four-way valve 94, and line 97 to the reservoir 99. Upon completion of the seam rolling operation, valve 94 is reversed, whereupon fluid under pressure from the pump 9| flows through line 93, four-way valve 94, and line 84 to the front end of the cylinder, causing a return of the piston and roller I2. During the return stroke, the fluid in the rear end of cylinder I9 returns through line 85, valve 96, line 95, valve 94, and line 91 to the reservoir 99. The metering valve 96 contains a one-way bypass which will permit a relatively unrestricted return flow of the fluid from line 85 to line 95 to allow a quick return movement of the roller I2.

While the description of the mechanism for controlling movement of the rollers has been limited to that portion of the mechanism mounted on slide 34, it will be understood that the corresponding mechanism mounted on the slide 35 is identical except that the drive gearing for the cam is mounted upon the opposite side of the mechanism and includes a countershaft 63', corresponding to the countershaft 63. The countershaft 63 is driven from a gear mounted within the tail stock I4 and splined on shaft I8 which gear meshes with the gear 64' on the countershaft 63 in the same manner that gear 24 on shaft l5 meshes with gear 64 on shaft 63.

It will be observed that the mechanism for rolling seams on tubular members of non-circular cross section heretofore described is exceedingly compact, simple and light in weight as a result of the fact that all of the roller controlling and supporting elements, including the cam 51, roller 59, the cylinder I9, piston rod I8 and roller I2 are mounted in a direct line. In addition, the slides 59 and. I3 are supported at diametrically opposite sides of the axis cylinder 19. As a result of this arrangement, all of the forces exerted are direct compression forces, and there is no possibility of any of the parts cocking out of alignment. In addition, the use of a metered flow of hydraulic fluid for moving the roller I2 on its working stroke greatly simplifies the mechanism and insures that the seam rolling operation will until they fit tightly against the inner flange porof the rolhng operation, rolled into a stepped reproceed uniformly independentof any variations" in the resistance of the metal to bending. This avoids the formation of wrinkles and-otherwise unsatisfactory seams.

In Figures 7and 8 is illustrated flush seam and an illustration of the method'by which it is formed. In the particular embodi ment chosen for illustration, the seam is used'to secure a header 3| to a muffler body 30. It will be observed that the header 3| is initially formed by a stamping or sheet metal drawing operation to provide an approximately axial flange having 1 two portions I9I and I92 of slightly different diameters, the outermost portion I92 being of larger diameter than the portion I9| to provide a shoulder between them. outwardly of the portion I92 the flange is bent outwardlyand in an opposite direction at an angle of approximately 45, forming a conical return portion I93. Prior to the seam rolling operation, the header 3| is fitted within the muffler body 39 with the edge of the muliler body seated within the notch formed between the conical portion I93 an'dthe-inner' flange portions I9I and I92 of the header. It will be observed that the larger flange portion I92 is of smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the muliler 39, the difference in radius being approximately equal to the thickness of the metal of the muffler header 3|.

When the header and muiiler are assembled, as shown in Figure 7, they are placed in the seam rolling machine with the header supported upon the chuck it. It will be understood that the opposite end'of the muffler will be similarly sup difference in radius of the portions I94 and I95 of the roller is equal to the difference in radius of the flange portions I 9| and I 92.

The'seam rolling operation is effected by rotating the chuck I9 with the header 3| and muffler 39 and feeding the roller I2 inwardly. The roller rolls around the periphery of the seam and forces the flange I93, as well as the extremity of the muffier body 39, progressively inwardly tions II and I92 with a corresponding shoulder intermediate the two flange portions. The extremity of the muiller body 39 and the outer flange I93 of the header are, upon completion lationship of two diameters with an intermediate shoulder between the portions of the different diameters to produce an interlocking seam.

It will be observed that, in addition to forming the seam, the roller during the seam formation effects a general reduction in diameter of the end portion of the muffler 39 by an amount at least equal to the thickness of the metal of tho mufiler body, with the result that the outermost portion of the finished seam is perfectly flush with the main body 39 of the mufller.

The seam described is of substantial strength because of the interlocking shoulder, is entirely flush with the main body of the muffler, and has an improved 1 7 the advantage that it can be formed in a single, continuous rolling operation by a single roller.

For some purposes where a perfectly flush seam is not required, the flange portion I02 of the header 3| may be made the full internal diameter of the muffler body 3!], as shown in Figure- 9. In this event, upon completion of the rolling operation the seam will assume the form illustrated in Figure 10. This seam is substantially identical to that illustrated in Figure 8, except that the outermost portion I06 of the seam will project outwardly beyond the main body of the muilier 30. by an amount equal to the thickness of the metal of the header. While this scam is not perfectly flush, its outer projection is far less than that of conventional rolled seams now in use, and to a large extent the handling diificulties encountered with the present seams are eliminated.

It will be understood that various variations in the details of the herein described machine may be indulged in without departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed or from the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for performing a forming operation on a sheet metal member which is noncircular but smoothly curved in cross-section, including means to support. and rotate the sheetmetal member about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to said cross-section, la support carried by said machine and movable toward and away from said sheet metal member in a path transverse to said axis, a fluid motor mounted on said support and having a driven element movable with respect to said support in a direction transverse to said axis, a metal working tool on said element and adapted to engage said sheet metal member, means for supplying fluid to said motor at a predetermined rate to efiect a correspondingly predetermined rate of movement of said element and tool toward said sheet metal member, and means comprising cam means rotatively journaled on said machine and engageable with said support, for oscillating said support whereby said tool is maintained in operative relation to the sheet metal member as the latter rotates, said cam means having a contour complemental to that of cross-section and havingmeans for driving it in synchronism with the rotation of said sheet metal member.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said fluid motor is a hydraulic motor, and said feed means for supplying fluid to said motor includes means for supplying said motor with hydraulic fluid at a predetermined rate.

3. A machine for performing a forming opera tion on a sheet metal member which is noncir-' cular but smoothly curved in cross-section, including means to support and rotate the sheetmetal member about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to said cross-section, a support carried by said machine and movable toward and away from said sheet metal member in a path transverse to said axis, a fluid motor mounted on said support and having a driven element movable with respect to said support in a direction transverse to said axis, a metal working tool on said element adapted to engage said sheet metal member, means for supplying fluid to said motor at a predetermined rate to effect a correspondingly predetermined rate of movement of said element and tool toward said sheet metal member, and means comprising cam means rotatively journaled on said machine and engageable with said support, for oscillating saidv 8 support whereby said tool is maintained in operative reiationto the sheet metal member as the latter rotates, said cam means having a contour complemental to that of cross-section and havinglmeans for driving it in synchronism with the.

rotation of said sheet metal member, said cam means, motor and tool being in substantial alignment with each other along a line extending substantially normal to said axis.

4. A machine for performing a forming operation on a sheet metal member which is noncircular but smoothly curved in cross-section, including means to support and rotate the sheet metal member about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to said cross-section, a support carried by said machine and movable toward and away from said sheet metal member in a path transverse to said axis, a fluid-operated piston and cylinder carried by said support and having a driven element movable with respect to said support in a direction transverse to said axis, a metal working tool on said element and adapted to engage said sheet metal member, means for supplying fluid to said cylinder at a predetermined rate to efiect a correspondingly predetermined rate of movement of said element and tool toward said member and relative to said support, and means including a cam journaled on said machine and having a contour complemental to that of saidcross-section and operated in synchronism with the rotation of said member, for engaging and oscillating said support to maintain said support. in fixed relation to the adjacent portion of said sheet metal member whereby the tool is maintained in operative relation to the sheet metalmember as the latter rotates.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said fluidoperated piston and cylinder are of. the hydraulic type and wherein said means for supplying fluid to said cylinder includes means for supplying hydraulic fluid to the same at a predetermined rate.

6. A machine for performing a forming operation on a sheet metal member which is noncircular but smoothly curved in cross-section, including means to support and rotate the sheet metal member about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to said cross-section, a support carried by said machine and movable toward and away from said sheet metal member in a path transverse to said axis, a fluid-operated piston and cylinder carried by said support and having a driven element movable with respect to said support in a direction transverse to said axis, a metal working tool on said element and adapted to engage said sheet metal member, means for supplying fluid to said cylinder at a predetermined rate to efiect a correspondingly predetermined rate of movement of said element and tool toward said member and relative to said support, and means including a cam journaled on said machine and having a contour complemental to that of said cross=section and operated in synchronism with the rotation of said member, for engaging and oscillating said support to maintain said support in fixed relation to the adjacent portion of said sheet metal member whereby the tool is maintained in operative relation to the sheet metal member as the latter rotates, said cam means, the axis of movement of said element and said tool being in substantial alignment with each other along a line extending substantially normal to said axis.

BENTON D. JACOKEiS.

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